All practice questions

A 68-year-old woman presents to the clinic with a 4-month history of progressive fatigue and a "pins and needles" sensation in her feet. Her past medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus, for which she has been taking metformin for 8 years. Physical examination reveals a smooth, glossy red tongue and decreased vibratory sensation in the bilateral lower extremities. The Romberg test is positive.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in laboratory evaluation?

A 24-year-old previously healthy woman presents to the emergency department with a 2-hour history of severe, sudden-onset, right-sided pelvic pain. She reports that her last menstrual period was 6 weeks ago and she noticed light vaginal spotting this morning. Vital signs show a blood pressure of 88/54 mmHg, a heart rate of 122/min, and a respiratory rate of 22/min. Abdominal examination demonstrates right lower quadrant tenderness with voluntary guarding and rebound tenderness. Arrange the following differential diagnoses in order from the highest pre-test probability (most likely and most urgent) to the lowest pre-test probability based on this patient's clinical presentation.

A $32$-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by emergency medical services after being stung by a bee. She has a history of severe bee sting allergy. On arrival, her blood pressure is $80/50$ mm Hg, heart rate is $125$/min, and respiratory rate is $28$/min. She has diffuse urticaria, facial swelling, and prominent expiratory wheezing. Arrange the following pharmacologic interventions in the correct prioritized sequence of administration for the acute management of this patient.

A $42$-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her husband due to a $2$-day history of progressive confusion and generalized weakness. She reports having a mild upper respiratory illness one week ago. Her temperature is $38.2^\circ\text{C}$ ($100.8^\circ\text{F}$), blood pressure is $130/80\text{ mmHg}$, and pulse is $102/\text{min}$. Physical examination reveals scleral icterus and scattered petechiae on her bilateral lower extremities. Neurological examination shows intermittent disorientation to time and place, but no focal motor or sensory deficits. Laboratory studies show:

* Hemoglobin: $7.8\text{ g/dL}$
* Platelets: $18,000/\text{mm}^3$
* Leukocytes: $8,400/\text{mm}^3$
* Creatinine: $1.1\text{ mg/dL}$
* Total bilirubin: $3.8\text{ mg/dL}$ (Indirect: $3.1\text{ mg/dL}$)
* Prothrombin time: $12\text{ seconds}$ (Normal: $11$-$14\text{ seconds}$)
* Partial thromboplastin time: $28\text{ seconds}$ (Normal: $25$-$35\text{ seconds}$)

Peripheral blood smear reveals numerous schistocytes.

Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Match the following detailed radiological descriptions of imaging findings to their most likely underlying clinical condition.

A 45-year-old woman is evaluated in the emergency department for severe, progressive abdominal distension and right upper quadrant pain that began 4 days ago. She also reports intense, generalized itching that typically occurs after taking warm showers. Her past medical history is significant for peptic ulcer disease. She takes no medications. Her temperature is $37.2^\circ C$ ($99.0^\circ F$), blood pressure is $145/88$ mmHg, heart rate is 98/min, and respiratory rate is 18/min. Physical examination reveals a ruddy facial complexion. The jugular venous pressure is $6$ cm $H_2O$. Abdominal examination shows marked distension, shifting dullness, and a palpable, tender liver edge $5$ cm below the right costal margin. There is no lower extremity edema.

Laboratory studies show:
Hemoglobin: $18.8$ g/dL
Hematocrit: 56%
Leukocytes: $12,500 / \mu L$
Platelets: $620,000 / \mu L$
Serum total protein: $6.8$ g/dL
Serum albumin: $3.5$ g/dL
Total bilirubin: $2.1$ mg/dL
Direct bilirubin: $0.8$ mg/dL
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 185 U/L
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 210 U/L

Diagnostic paracentesis yields 1.5 L of straw-colored fluid. Ascitic fluid analysis reveals:
Albumin: $1.4$ g/dL
Total protein: $2.9$ g/dL
Neutrophils: $80 / \mu L$

Based on the laboratory and clinical findings, which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism for this patient's abdominal fluid accumulation?

A 54-year-old woman is evaluated in the emergency department for a sudden-onset, agonizing headache that began 12 hours ago. She describes it as the most severe headache she has ever experienced, noting that it reached peak intensity within seconds. She also reports photophobia and nausea. Her medical history is notable for essential hypertension and a 20-pack-year smoking history. Vital signs show a blood pressure of 165/95 mmHg, pulse of 92/min, and respiratory rate of 16/min. Physical examination reveals photophobia and resistance to passive neck flexion. There are no focal motor or sensory deficits. A non-contrast head computed tomography (CT) scan is performed immediately and shows no evidence of intracranial hemorrhage or mass effect. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the diagnostic workup?

A 44-year-old woman is evaluated in the emergency department for severe, unremitting right upper quadrant abdominal pain that started 12 hours ago. The pain radiates to her right subscapular region and is associated with nausea and two episodes of bilious emesis. She has a history of diet-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia. Her temperature is 38.3°C (100.9°F), blood pressure is 135/85 mm Hg, pulse is 102/min, and respirations are 18/min. Physical examination demonstrates marked tenderness to palpation in the right upper quadrant with voluntary guarding, making deep palpation difficult. Laboratory results show:

A transabdominal right upper quadrant ultrasound reveals multiple echogenic foci with posterior acoustic shadowing within the gallbladder. The gallbladder wall measures 2.5 mm in thickness, and there is no pericholecystic fluid. The common bile duct diameter is 4 mm. The sonographic Murphy sign cannot be definitively assessed due to the patient's guarding. The clinical suspicion for acute cholecystitis remains high.

Which of the following is the most appropriate next imaging study to establish the diagnosis?

A 65-year-old African American man comes to the clinic for follow-up of heart failure. He was hospitalized 4 weeks ago for acute decompensated heart failure, and an echocardiogram at that time showed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30%. His past medical history includes type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and bilateral renal artery stenosis that was diagnosed via magnetic resonance angiography two years ago. His current medications include carvedilol, furosemide, and atorvastatin. His blood pressure is 146/92 mm Hg and his pulse is 68/min. Physical examination shows a regular heart rate, clear lungs to auscultation, and no peripheral edema.

Laboratory studies reveal a serum sodium of 138 mEq/L, serum potassium of 4.2 mEq/L, blood urea nitrogen of 18 mg/dL, and serum creatinine of 1.1 mg/dL.

The physician discusses initiating an additional medication to optimize his guideline-directed medical therapy. Which of the following medications is absolutely contraindicated in this patient?

A 31-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by paramedics due to continuous seizure activity. Her husband states she has a history of epilepsy but ran out of her medications two days ago. He reports the generalized tonic-clonic movements began approximately 10 minutes prior to EMS arrival and have not ceased. She is actively seizing on the stretcher. Vital signs include a blood pressure of 145/92 mm Hg, heart rate of 122/min, respiratory rate of 22/min, and oxygen saturation of 91% on room air. Point-of-care blood glucose is 98 mg/dL. Two large-bore peripheral intravenous catheters are successfully placed by the nursing staff immediately upon arrival.

Assuming the patient's seizures remain refractory to each successive intervention, arrange the following management steps in the most appropriate chronological sequence for her stabilization and definitive care.

A 41-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after being found obtunded in an alleyway. Medical records indicate a history of severe alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder. Vital signs are temperature 36.1°C (97.0°F), blood pressure 105/65 mm Hg, pulse 112/min, and respirations 24/min. Physical examination shows a somnolent man who arouses only to painful stimuli. Pupils are equal and reactive. Cardiopulmonary examination is unremarkable.

Laboratory results are as follows:

Arterial blood gas analysis on room air reveals:
pH: 7.23
PaCO2: 28 mm Hg
PaO2: 96 mm Hg

Based on the laboratory results provided, calculate the patient's osmolar gap.

A 58-year-old male is evaluated in the ambulatory neurology clinic for progressive walking difficulty, which he notes is severely exacerbated in dimly lit environments. Over the past six months, he has also experienced sudden, intense, "electric shock-like" pains shooting down both legs. His medical history is notable only for a painless genital sore in his twenties that healed spontaneously without treatment. On examination, he demonstrates a wide-based, stomping gait. When instructed to stand with his feet approximated and arms outstretched, he remains stable with his eyes open; however, upon closing his eyes, he sways dramatically and requires assistance to prevent a fall. Deep tendon reflexes cannot be elicited at the knees or ankles. Perception of tuning fork vibration and joint position is profoundly impaired in the distal lower extremities. Muscle strength is graded as $5/5$ globally.

Further physical examination of this patient's eyes is most likely to reveal which of the following pupillary abnormalities?

During a shift in the emergency department, a physician evaluates an elderly female patient residing in a skilled nursing facility. The patient was transported for acute medical assessment due to a 72-hour history of obstipation, progressive abdominal distention, and frequent bilious emesis. Chart review notes a long-standing history of symptomatic gallstones that were managed expectantly due to high surgical risk. Currently, the patient is tachycardic and hypotensive with dry mucous membranes. Abdominal auscultation reveals high-pitched, tinkling bowel sounds over a distended, tympanic abdomen. The physician orders an acute abdominal plain radiograph series. The radiologist's read reports markedly distended jejunal and ileal loops with step-ladder air-fluid levels and an absence of colonic gas. Furthermore, there is a distinct branching tubular lucency over the hepatic silhouette and a 3.5-centimeter target-like radiopaque structure situated near the ileocecal valve. Based on the integration of these radiologic findings, which of the following best describes the fundamental pathophysiologic event that precipitated this condition?

A 76-year-old man is brought to the outpatient continuity clinic by his son due to a 6-month history of worsening memory and episodic confusion. The son reports that the patient frequently misplaces household items, struggles to recall the names of familiar acquaintances, and recently became disoriented while driving to his local grocery store. Medical history is notable for hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and osteoarthritis of the right knee. Surgical history includes an uncomplicated appendectomy in his twenties. He lives alone, does not smoke, and consumes one glass of wine weekly. Current medications include amlodipine, tamsulosin, and over-the-counter diphenhydramine, which he began taking nightly about seven months ago for insomnia. He also takes acetaminophen as needed for joint pain. The physician is conducting a targeted medical history to evaluate the etiology of the cognitive decline. Which of the following elements of the history are critical to prioritize? (Select all that apply)

While doing yard work, a 65-year-old man experiences a sudden onset of severe dyspnea, dizziness, and a diffuse rash. His wife immediately drives him to the nearest emergency room. The patient has a known past medical history of a myocardial infarction two years prior, as well as hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. His prescribed medications include aspirin, metoprolol, lisinopril, and metformin.

Upon arrival at the triage desk, he appears extremely restless, is profusely diaphoretic, and can only speak in one-word gasps.

Vital signs reveal a temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F), blood pressure of 78/42 mmHg, heart rate of 134/min, respiratory rate of 28/min, and oxygen saturation of 89% on ambient air.

Physical examination demonstrates significant periorbital swelling and widespread raised, erythematous plaques across his torso and limbs. Auscultation of the lungs reveals prominent bilateral expiratory wheezing.

Which of the following represents the most appropriate immediate next step in stabilizing this patient?

A 65-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of progressively worsening dyspnea, orthopnea, and a cough productive of pink, frothy sputum. He has a past medical history of an anterior myocardial infarction three years ago, subsequent heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and essential hypertension. His home medications include oral lisinopril, carvedilol, and low-dose aspirin. Upon arrival, his temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), blood pressure is 155/90 mm Hg, pulse is 112/min, and respiratory rate is 26/min. Pulse oximetry shows an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Physical examination reveals elevated jugular venous pressure, an S3 gallop, and diffuse bilateral crackles on lung auscultation. An electrocardiogram shows sinus tachycardia without acute ST-segment or T-wave changes. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate pharmacologic intervention?

A physician is reviewing the charts of four newly admitted patients with complex multisystem presentations. Match each patient's clinical scenario with the most appropriate targeted laboratory investigation to establish the underlying diagnosis.

A 65-year-old woman presents to the outpatient clinic with a 3-week history of painless yellowing of her skin and eyes. She also reports a 5-kg (11-lb) unintentional weight loss, dark urine, and pale acholic stools. She has no significant past medical history. Vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination reveals profound scleral icterus and a palpable, non-tender mass in the right upper quadrant. Laboratory studies show a total bilirubin of 10.2 mg/dL, direct bilirubin of 8.6 mg/dL, and an alkaline phosphatase of 750 U/L. A multidisciplinary tumor board anticipates she will require neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection, but notes that she is currently suffering from severe, intractable pruritus due to hyperbilirubinemia.

Arrange the following diagnostic and interventional modalities in the most appropriate chronological sequence for the evaluation and management of this patient, from the initial diagnostic step to the final therapeutic step.

Match each patient scenario involving the evaluation of suspected or confirmed Cushing syndrome with the most appropriate next step in their diagnostic workup.

A 58-year-old man presents to the primary care clinic reporting a 9-month history of progressive fatigue, decreased libido, and erectile dysfunction. He has no headaches, visual changes, or prior testicular trauma. His vital signs show a blood pressure of $128/82 \text{ mmHg}$, heart rate of $74 \text{ /min}$, and respiratory rate of $14 \text{ /min}$. His body mass index (BMI) is $34 \text{ kg/m}^2$. Physical examination reveals normal visual fields, no gynecomastia, and bilaterally descended testes with a slightly soft consistency and a volume of $12 \text{ mL}$ bilaterally (normal: $15-25 \text{ mL}$). The physician suspects male hypogonadism and initiates a stepwise laboratory evaluation.

Based on Endocrine Society guidelines, arrange the following laboratory investigations in the most appropriate chronological sequence for establishing the diagnosis and etiology. Assume each subsequent test is pursued only after the preceding test results confirm the need for further evaluation.